The Moonlights Shadow

Roleplaying can be a great source for stories. But whether your stories come from roleplaying or whether you wrote them separate of anything else, this is the forum to post your stories. These stories can be funny, dramatic, epic in scale, of very small scope, or really anything you can think of. Note that this forum is for posting stories only. Discussions on stories and even just simple compliments should be posted in the Out Of Character forum or by sending a private message to the author.

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Talwyn Aureliano
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Post by Talwyn Aureliano »

A spray of blood flew across the room as the heavily muscled male Drow interrogator smashed his right fist into Hiro’s face. The Drow balled his left fist and drove it into Hiro’s midriff exploding the air from his lungs. Hiro gasped and wheezed, moaning in agony. His vision swam. One eye had been shut from swelling for the past 3 days and he’d lost count how many times he’d passed out from torture. Still he refused to break. He had endured beyond anything his training had prepared him for.

“Enough Rheiz, I think our guest has endured enough hardship. I must say that I admire his tenacity,” said the beautiful priestess as she strode into the room. She regarded Hiro, curiosity and impatience playing across her flawless face.

“I obey dread priestess,” Rheiz bowed low keeping his gaze fixed firmly to the ground. She ignored him, walking slowly over to the captive figure shackled to an iron chair. She gently lifted his ruined head. “Wake up human. Your torment is over for now.” Hiro’s eyes rolled back in his head as he passed out. She sighed in frustration as she dropped his head.

“Get me some healing draughts. They seem to be the only thing that works on this stubborn human.” When they first began to torture Hiro, she had tried to use her Tentacle whip on him but the enchanted weapon had next to no effect on Hiro, it was like hitting him with wet silk. They had tried all manner of magic, inflicting and casting some of the most lethal and deadly spells on Hiro, all which had failed to have any impact. So they’d gone back to plain old brute force, relying on the tried and tested methods of torture. Since healing spells had not worked, Rheiz had suggested trying a healing potion after the initial sessions of physical abuse and these had produced some modest results. They were enough to keep Hiro alive and revived for the next session of pain. This had also provoked further discussion on the nature of this human. Who was he and why was he almost impervious to almost all magic?

A goblin slave scuttled into the chamber carrying a tray of vials filled with a bright blue liquid. Rheiz snatched it from the pathetic creature who groveled abjectly. Seeing that no more was required the slave fled before anything else was demanded of it. Rheiz handed a vial to his mistress who removed the wax seal and poured it down Hiro’s throat. Hiro swallowed and coughed weakly. After a few moments the bruising and bleeding began to slowly show signs of fading.

“Clean him up & dose him with drafts of ssinjin wussrun'wa [sweet dream] then send him to my quarters. Let’s see if the soft touch may work where the iron fist has failed,” she commanded as she pursed her lips thoughtfully. He wasn’t the most handsome specimen she’d bedded however it was something different and novelty had its charms. Yes, this would prove an interesting challenge indeed.

“Yes Priestess Yvonnel. I obey,” replied Rhiez again with a low bow. She ignored him again and with one last look at Hiro, swept out of the room, her long silken skirts brushing against her smooth legs. Rheiz turned back to regard Hiro who’s head had slumped forward. He grabbed Hiro’s hair lifting his face up to meet his.

“You have been granted a stay of our entertainment for now human. Yvonnel want to play with you. I do not know which is worse for you, stay here and die by my hand or go with her. It’s out of my hands now. It’s a pity you didn’t talk earlier human, I might have saved you more pain.”

Hiro looked at Rheiz blankly, not really understanding what his tormentor was saying. The concussion he was suffering along with being sleep deprived only added to his confusion. All he knew was that he had not broken and therefore had not disgraced himself or his ancestors. He weakly smiled much to Rheiz’s mild admiration.

“You have courage human, I'll grant you that,” he said letting Hiro go. He patted the man on the cheek and proceeded to feed him the rest of the healing vials. Hiro drank deeply of the sweet refreshing liquid. Each draught revitalising him in a way he become familiar with. He didn’t understand it but he had come to welcome the soothing feeling of the blue sweet liquid. It reminded him of a liquor back on earth, tasting vaguely of oranges but not so cloyingly sweet. He didn’t notice the light blue liquid that Rheiz now feed him, he just drank and felt himself growing faint and feeling peaceful. It’s like morphine he thought before he fell asleep. Rheiz made sure Hiro was completely under before signalling to the two door guards to come and help him untie Hiro and carry him to Yvonnel’s quarters.
In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill.

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Talwyn Aureliano
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Posts: 1480
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:27 pm
Location: Western Australia
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Post by Talwyn Aureliano »

Duncan jogged along at an easy pace in the late afternoon twilight. He had set himself & the squad a rigorous training schedule in order to maintain peak fitness but he always did that little bit extra just to have the edge. Wearing only a pair of pants that were made recently for him which he suspected Uluvae had a hand in making. He cut quite a handsome figure in them.

He ran past the village which had gotten used to seeing human soliders running in the morning. He liked going to the village as it had one of the best pubs he’d ever encountered plus it had a relaxed and happy atmosphere. The inhabitants were a mix of many races, drow, elves, humans, some Halflings and few dwarves. The prime function of this hardy community was to keep the temple running and supplied with all the necessities like food and other materials.

Porki Thule, the dwarven blacksmith, waved to Duncan as he pounded by the forge and rounded his way down the main street of the village. Duncan flicked a salute to the dwarf. They’d become friends over a legendary drinking session at the village pub, The Crescent Moon. The pub had become a favoured haunt of most of the squad as many of them felt a little uncomfortable in the cloistered atmosphere of the temple and its enthusiastic piety. Porki had drunk Duncan under the table and had carried the unconscious captain back to the temple then went back to finish off drinking. The priestesses had not been amused at having to lug Duncan boozy body into his bed and for the next two days, even Uluvae had given him the cold shoulder.

Porki though loved the humans devices and weapons. He was fascinated by the guns and the other machines that they had brought with him. Even though he was a master of his craft, he knew superior work when he saw it and was astonished to learn that almost all of their equipment had been made by machines.

Wiping his sweating brow, Porki thrust the length of iron he’d been working into the water barrel. A hiss and pop of steam rose as the red hot metal cooled rapidly. Satisfied that it was cool enough, he withdrew it and worked it a bit more on his anvil before he was finished with it.

“Another ploughshare finished Master Porki?” Porki turned around to see the leader of the village, Vasse Fh’ealhix had entered his modest forge and smithy carrying two foaming tankards of cold ale. He was what was commonly refered to as a “high” elf and could be argued that there was no other better archer in this part of Tharia than Vasse. A son of nobility from the Elven Empire of Tharrassia, Vasse had walked out on his family in search of a life of adventurem, never once looking back. Bards still sang of his deeds and deadliness with the bow even after a hundred years had passed since he had started roving the continent.

“Aye, ‘tis another for Farmer Giles ‘n me last fer today,” replied Porki as he pulled off his leather apron and gratefully accepted the cool foamy tankard of ale that Vasse passed to him. He drank deeply of the soothing refreshing ale, emptying the tankard in moments before releasing a thunderous bleach of contentment. He wiped the foamy remnants from his moustaches and beard with the back of his hand and sat back on the anvil regarding his old friend. “So lad, what bring you to me forge eh? Need yer daggers sharpened or some more arrow heads?”

“Always to the point aren’t you? No I require none of those for now,” remarked Vasse with a faint smile on his handsome tanned face. He ran a hand through his pale blonde hair and looked about thoughtfully. “Porki, I think I may come out of retirement and join with the priestesses and these out world humans on their insane quest.” Porki raised a bushy eyebrow by said nothing, letting his friend speak his mind. “I feel restless Porki…like I’ve been asleep too long. These past 50 years have been peaceful, despite the odd encroachment of Drow and other raiders on our valley but in the past two weeks, the need for the open road has become to dominate my thoughts.”

“Aye, I knew whatcha mean Vasse. I too have felt tha urge ta put down tha hammer ‘n take up me axe again and go a wandering like we used ta in the old days. Must be tha influence of them humans ‘n the return o’ tha goddess. It be like spring came again ‘n we’re all jumpy. I be thinking that when this bunch ‘o amateurs finally pull their collective thumbs outta their arses ‘n get their flat feet onna road, they’d best have a couple o’ professionals along wi’ ‘em ta make sure they d’nae get lost.” Vasse gave a wry chuckle. Porki had been itching to hit the road now for a few years but would not leave without Vasse as such was the intense loyalty & bond of brotherhood between them. They had settled in this quiet out of the way valley over 50 years ago, retiring from adventuring life. Porki was content to become the village smith and Vasse the local mayor of this polyglot of a community. He got on well with the Eilistreeans and was a close friend and one time lover of Shir’le but he never embraced the faith, preferring to pay lip service to the gods of his ancestors with the occasional donative to any itinerant priest who wandered through the valley, and they were rare anyway which suited him just fine.

“I think you may be right. Despite having an avatar of a goddess to lead them, this party of priestesses has never really left this valley. Cloistered in their temple, praying for a return has left them myopic and naïve to the changes in the wider world. The fact that the Golden One instructed his followers to send out a platoon of knights to help them, clearly shows how far their faith has fallen. I would wager that the sight of drow females walking openly in Tharia would still draw comment and make people fearful and suspicious,” Vasse sighed ruefully. Even though the faith strove to promote good and harmony in the world and its people, it’s chief practioners, dark elven females, were regarded with suspicion and often hostility because most of their race were the mirror opposite of the faith. Malign, treacherous, vicious, cruel and outright evil characterized most of the dark elves that had not yet broken the thrall of the Spider Goddess.

“I hear what ye be sain’ lad. Even them human soldiers wi’ yon fancy weapons wouldn’t last long in the wider world. They’d be dead meat ‘n two days in Bellaphron once ‘t pox ridden packs o’ thieves guilds got wind o’ ‘em,” added Porki darkly. “Them lads may be dam fine soldiers but we both know that tha cutthroats be sharp ‘n as numerous as lice on a mangy dog.” Vasse silently agreed with Porki’s bleak assessment. If this quest was to succeed at all, it would need their vast experience and network of contacts to have any hope at all.

“Well then Porki, I suppose we’d best let our apprentices know they’ll be running things while we’re away. I’ll see you for dinner one hour after sundown?” Vasse stood and moved to the doorway. “Duncan & Uluvae will be our guests this evening and Sidhlairiel will be making her famous venison pie.” Porki’s eyes lit up at that bit of news and he salivated at the prospect of yet another fabulous banquet. Vasse’s woman was an excellent cook for an elven girl, something he had grudgingly admitted after eating her roast spiced pork when she had first arrived in the village 20 years ago. She’s said she was only passing through yet remained, becoming Vasse’s confident and lover.

“Aye, I’ll be there lad!” he said eagerly. “I’ll bring a cask o’ tha dark ale ‘n Gundren will bring tha mash ‘n greens.”

“Porki, when are you going to stop treating Gundren like an apprentice and make her your wife?” Vasse smirked at his friends sudden uncomfortableness.

“Ahh…well…it be complicated lad. No need ta rush these thing ye see? No need ta be hasty now is there?”

“Rush? She’s been here for thirty years Porki! How much longer does she need to serve as an apprentice when we both know she is almost equal to you in skill at the forge.”

“Aha! Ye said it, “almost equal” ‘n that means she ain’t ready,” crowed Porki seizing on semantics. He saw Vasse give him that old familiar cool stare and muttered and harrumphed. “Well…maybe in a few more years….she be almost ready I suppose….ahh buggrit…I’ll draw up her papers later ‘n send them tat ha moot ‘o smiths next month. Besides, I ain’t gonna be walking down that aisle alone ye pansy elf! Yer goin’ down wi’ me ‘n ye can make Sidhlairiel an honest wench in tha process.” Vasse laughed aloud.

“We’ll see, we’ll see. I’m sure she might want to have a say in the matter though, perhaps we might leave off popping our nuptials till after dinner, when the females are full of food and booze and can’t think clearly,” Vasse grinned mischievously. Porki guffawed and slapped his thigh.

“Ahh ye always were a tricky bastard Vasse. That’s why I love ya like a brother. C’mon, lets be getting’ outta here ‘n clean up fer our ladies ‘n guests eh?”

“Aye old friend.”

Meanwhile Duncan had continued on his evening run, closing now on the final leg as he ran up the track the lead to the main gate of the temple compound. He was breathing hard now, sweat was beading on his naked chest. He looked up and could see a familiar figure was waiting near the gate. He smiled inwardly and putting a final burst of speed, he sprinted the last few hundred meters before coming to a puffing halt in front of Uluvae.

“Hello there,” she called out with a coy smile. “What’s a nice man like you doing in a place like this eh?”

Duncan glanced back at her with a bemused expression as he leant forward hands on his knees breathing in hard and fast. Uluvae’s eyes travelled over his glistening heaving chest, her breath also slightly catching as he stood up from his hunched posture and walked around to cool down in the golden evening light with his hands over his head.

“Has Harry been teaching you pick up lines now?” he asked breathlessly, a faint smile on his face.

“That and some other things too. I must say I found some of the songs he has stored on the iPod most enlightening,” she replied as she twirled a tendril of her silvery blonde hair idly. Most of her hair was swept back over her pointed ears and loosely tied up in a bun behind her head with the forelocks remaining free with two long tendrils flowing down over her cheeks with she now idly toyed with.

“Oh? What new delights have you now discovered?”

“Something of your country I believe. I found an interesting selection of what could be loosely described as cultural songs and ballads by one of your more colourful bards.” Duncan paused from his pacing and eyed her curiously. She and the other drow, especially the two bard girls Geiselle and Ysolte, had devoured the music library on the iPod and the laptop they’d brought with them.

“Anyone in particular?” he asked cautiously. So far she’d shown a propensity to take a shine to the strangest things and he began to quietly regret letting her have open access to the music files.

“Oh yes, Mr Kevin “Bloody” Wilson I believe was the artiste in question,” she said with a serene smile, an innocent expression masking her growing mirth. Duncan winced knowing full well who & what she had discovered this time.

“Ahh I see. Well…what did you think of him and his…music?”

“I thought his music was most informative. Ysolte believes she can make a fortune out of a number of Mr Wilsons more bawdier songs, especially at ports where rowdy sailors and dock workers frequent. The ballad with the deceptively simple yet decidedly blunt contant, “Kev’s Courting Song”, well I have to say that was most straight forward way of introduction I have ever heard in my entire life. The line “Do you fuck on first dates?” is the most candid and honest proposition any of us Drow would have ever heard and we are not known to be the shy types at all when it comes to sex!”

She struggled to keep the smile off her face as she watched Duncan’s visible embarrassment. She and the other drow girls had first been shocked and appalled by the lewd and bawdy nature of Kevin “Bloody” Wilsons colourful musical repertoire but after the intial shock had worn off, they saw the humour, coarse in the extreme, but none the less very funny indeed.

“So Duncan, do you?” she asked, a mischeivious grin on her face. He stopped and stared at her for a long moment completely flummoxed. She laughed aloud merrily. “Yes! I will collect my winnings. Ysolte and Harry said you would have responded with a joke but I said you’d be stunned into silence.” She her grin grew even wider.

“I’m glad I’ve made you richer then,” he said quietly as he moved to stand close to her. He smiled as he gazed at this remarkable dark elven woman in front of him. She came in close, pulling him to her, her left hand resting lightly on his chest while her right held his hip, her thigh nestling in between his legs. He ran his hand up her back moving softly into her luxuriant hair and gently cradled her head in the palm of his hand. She stared back into his sea green eyes with half closed eyes as she revealed in his touch. The crickets chipped in the dusky twilight. Her lips parted in anticipation. He leant forward, kissing her tenderly. She sighed softly in pleasure and wrapped her arms around him pressing herself to his body, deepening the kiss and returning it with slowly rising passion.
[ see the picture here http://kaanamoonshadow.deviantart.com/a ... -117275212 ]
In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill.

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Talwyn Aureliano
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Posts: 1480
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:27 pm
Location: Western Australia
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Post by Talwyn Aureliano »

“Mmm, that was nice,” Uluvae said as she laid her head on Duncans shoulder and began to nuzzle his neck. She crinkled her nose and pulled back. “You’re too sweaty and you smell like a horse,” she complained.

“What do you expect? I’ve just finished a ten kilometre run and that is always going to raise a sweat,” he replied nonchalantly.

“Never the less, you still smell so come with me, I’m going to clean you up before we go out this evening. I don’t want to be embarrassed by your ripe odour at the dinner table!” she said as she began to lead him by the hand back into the temple compound. Duncan inwardly sighed but allowed himself to be escorted to the bath house by Uluvae.

Over the last few weeks he’d come to understand that she was a determined young woman which had lead to some interesting cultural clashes. Her natural assumption was that females should be obeyed was given short shrift by Duncan by him simply ignoring her little commands and pronouncements if they were too arrogant. Uluvae had learned to control her impulses during this period, especially when she had been brought to heel by Lisse after Duncan had ignored one of her lofty orders. She’d almost exploded in fury and was about to fling a fireball at him, which wouldn’t have done much to actually harm him, when Lisse had appeared and chastised her acolyte. Duncan wisely left the area and avoided Uluvae for a day by taking the squad out on a 24 hour patrol.

Pausing as they reached the doorway of the lavish bath house, he considered what her ulterior motive might be this time. He’d allowed himself to get close to her, spent time alone with her but not to the point where things got too steamy. Duncan could tell she wanted more, that her passionate nature was champing at the bit in building frustration.

“So…here we are. I’ll see you in about 30 minutes then back at my quarters?” Uluvae’s face fell slightly.

“Oh…I thought….umm….oh..alright…I will meet you then.” She turned to go when Duncan turned her around and suddenly kissed her again. After a long moment he broke away, leaving her breathless.

“See you soon,” he said as he walked into the bath house.

“Not soon enough,” she whispered as she licked her lips watching him leave. Shaking her head, she walked back to her little room in the priestesses quarters and quickly freshened up. Almost had him she thought idly as she adjusted her hair in the mirror. Humming to herself, she dabbed some perfume oil to her neck and wrists and quickly cleaned her teeth.

“Going somewhere special then eh ‘Vae?” asked Hallesia as she stood in the doorway.

“Before you say anything, I heard you coming around the corner and if you were an assassin, you’d be dead now. Look up,” she indicated for Hallesia to look above the door lintel where Uluvae had placed a small but deadly crossbow trap which she could activate with a pressure plate a her foot. “Yes. I’m going with Duncan to Vasse’s manor house for dinner tonight to act as a translator. Duncans’ command of common is still not that good and Vasse wishes to discuss a number of matters with him.” Hallesia nodded and came and sat on Uluvae’s bed.

“Good although I am concerned at the humans lack of progress with learning the common language. They need to grasp this quickly as soon they will be out in the wider world where no one will understand them if they can’t speak common.”

“Yes, I know and they do too. They are improving but they need time to practice as well. I’m confident they will be proficient enough before we leave.”

“That had better be the case as Vasse and Porki will need to be able to effectively speak with them. I also expect you to come straight back after the evening concludes ‘Vae, no dawdling.” Hallesia’s tone made it clear that there was no room for argument. Uluvae sighed and nodded. “I am glad you have chosen not to argue over this ‘Vae. I will require your report on what those two old adventurers are planning so stay alert.”

“Yes Hallesia.”

“Good. You look presentable enough so go now and don’t drink too much of that dwarf’s beer! You know how potent it is and make sure Duncan doesn’t come back in his cups either. Imrae & Killithia were not impressed in having to carry a drunk rivvil you know?”

“Yes Hallesia, they made their displeasure known to me the next day.” She’d been the target of their snide jibes and stinging remarks for the following day after they’d dealt with Duncan. It was a sad truth that not all of her fellow drow viewed the humans with warmth and friendship. There were still incidences of rudeness, belligerence and hostility. Old habits and beliefs could not change over night and despite Lisse’s commands and encouragements, it would be a long while before many of the drow would change.

“I heard about that and also heard a rumour that both Imrae and Killithia beds had become infested with vermin a day or so later. Of course you had nothing to do with that or their sudden bouts of vomiting because I have trained you to be better than that, haven’t I?” Hallesia looked long and hard at Uluvae who returned her stare with a calm air.

“You trained me very well Hallesia, very well indeed,” Uluvae replied with a faint smile as she left the room. Hallesia smiled to herself as she watched Uluvae leave. Yes, she’d been trained well, well enough not to leave any evidence behind to implicate her in her small revenge on Imrae & Killithia. Both women had thought twice in launching accusations against Uluvae after Hallesia had given them a stern dressing down. It served them right to be caught out like that, stupid complacent fools they were letting a mere girl poison them, albeit only mildly. Yes, Uluvae was shaping up very nicely indeed thought Hallesia with a hint of pride.


Duncan dressed himself quickly in his clean uniform. The squad had quietly revelled in the five star service they had been enjoying while staying at the temple. Their clothing had been laundered and pressed for them as well as new clothing being made for them. The food was tasty and plentiful and on the whole the company quite agreeable. Only Kaori showed interest in participating in the religious life of the community which left the others time to explore and learn more about the world they were in. Of course, once the Crescent Moon had been discovered, the evenings became even more enjoyable. Most night found the squad in the pub drinking and mixing with the village residents who had welcomed them warmly. Ysolte and Geiselle had accompanied them to the pub and had began to play some of the new songs and melodies they’d learnt from their new friends. Even the iPod and its dock had become a regular feature down at the pub, even though almost all of the villagers couldn’t understand the words of the songs being play, they still enjoyed the tunes.

As he finished lacing up his boots he heard a soft knock at the door of his room.

“Come in.” He stood up as Anya entered the room. She saw the look of open disappointment on his face.

“Expecting someone else were you Duncan?” She smirked as his tried to cover his initial reaction.

“Unnhh yeah…I was expecting ‘Vae. We’ve been invited to Vasse’s manor for a dinner this evening.”

“Yes I know. I’m coming too. I’m here to collect you. Uluvae is waiting outside for us. Come, we’ll be late if you keep standing there gawping. Chop chop lad!” she said with a broad grin as she bustled him out the door then strode off leaving Duncan to catch up with her

“Why are you coming tonight? I thought Vasse just wanted to talk with me?” Duncan hurried along as she walked briskly along the corridor.

“Vasse extended his invitation to myself and William as well. Didn’t William mention this?” she said as they left the sleeping quarters and hastened to the main courtyard.

“No he didn’t mention it but then again I haven’t seen him for a couple of…oh…that’s what he’s been up to,” said Duncan as they entered the courtyard. William stood next to a smart looking horse drawn carriage in which Uluvae was seated. She waved to Duncan and Anya as they approached. The wheels had been painted silver and the seats shone with brand new polished red leather. Two large black horses stood in the traces and snorted and whinnied as Anya approached.

“So that’s what you’ve been doing! You went and got yourself some wheels and went and pimped your new ride,” laughed Duncan as he admired Williams work. William leapt up onto the carriage and sat on the drivers seat befo4re turning to grin at Duncan.

“Yeah man, since I can’t get myself a fine low rider, this carriage is the next best thing. I found it in one of the barns near the village last week. Mike & I cleaned it up and with a bit of extra help,” he nodded in Anya’s direction, “we got her ready for this evening. So hop on in folks and lets get ready to roll.” William held out his hand to Anya.

“Why thank you William,” she said with a dazzling smile as she took his hand and stepped up onto the open top carriage and sat next to William on the drivers bench. Duncan quickly got in behind her and nestled next to Uluvae. She wrapped her left arm around his should.

“Mmm you smell nice, what is that scent?” Duncan inhaled her sweet spicy perfume.

“I think the rough translation in English would be “Burning Lust”” She sat back with a languid smile as she lightly tickled the back of his neck with her fingers. “Do you like it?” Her golden eyes shone brightly in the fading light.

“Yeah…it’s wonderful.” He gulped and suddenly felt self conscious. Uluvae smile grew slightly predatory and she suddenly pulled him down to her, kissing him deeply.

“Hey! You two cool it down there in the back seat! No necking until we park the ride ya hear?” William grinned at them as they broke from kissing. He turned back and flicked the reigns and the carriage rattled off, the gravel crunching and popping under the steel rimmed wheels.

*******
In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill.

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Talwyn Aureliano
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Posts: 1480
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:27 pm
Location: Western Australia
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Post by Talwyn Aureliano »

Dark energies crackled and hissed as the still evening air was rent with tearing screech as a swirling vortex formed out of the coalescing matrixes of swirling sparking light. Within seconds a tear in the fabric of reality formed, opening a portal from a dark and foreboding place. From this small tear, the portal rapidly grew in size till it was as large as a regular doorway. Quiet returned to the field in which the portal had formed.

After a few moments, a figure clad in black mail and wearing a full faced helm cautiously emerged from the portal, a small crossbow held up in his left hand. The figure made not a sound as he stealthily crept forward slowly; taking a few steps at a time as he carefully scouted the surrounding area. With a barely perceptible gesture he signalled all clear. The scout proceeded forward while others began to cross through the portal. They made no sound as they silently fanned out from the portal, their weapons drawn and ready. Their blackened weapons and armour absorbed any light that shone on them rendering them nigh invisible in the dark night. In a matter of a couple of minutes fourteen drow warriors had taken up positions around the portal, silently watching for any sign of discovery.

Like shadows they waited until at last a final figure emerged silently from the portal. Clad in black plate armour and wearing the same full helm as the others, the figure nodded to the others gathered. They rose as one and waited. Taking out a small bronze device from a pouch at its waist and holding it in its left hand, the figure waved the right hand over the device. A very faint purple glow began to radiate from the device. The glow quickly shaped itself into a thin line and pointed in a particular direction. Pointing along the direction of the line, the figure waved to the assembled warriors. Ghostlike they moved off in the indicated direction, their tread barely disturbing the stubble in the field.

The plate armoured figure waited for a few moments, watching the warriors disappear from view. Slowly it replaced the device then removed the helm, letting a cascade of silky silvery blonde hair fall over her shoulders. Xalyth quirked her sensual lips in s cruel smile as she regarded the distant glow of the manor house. Yvonnel had broken that wretched rivvil to her will, making him her begging slave in record time. Even Yvonnel was surprised as to how quickly Hiro had turned once she had bedded him. Still, he was but a worthless male and thus easily controlled. Once under Yvonnel’s thrall he had willingly explained, as best as he could, where he had come from and the nature of his weapons and pieces of equipment he’d managed to steal before he was driven to flee to the Underdark.

The head of Xalyth’s house, Matron Mother Mezrylornyl, was very pleased with their new slave and the items that he had brought with him. Already she had the house craftsmen & artisans trying to replicate Hiro’s weapons. Those alone would ensure house Mezrylornyl’s rise to prominence. Yvonnel had persuaded the Matron Mother not to have Hiro sacrificed as she had delved deep into his mind and had learned much of his world and the devices and machines that only he knew of and understood. His mind was a precious treasure and it was determined that a few more of these out world humans should be caught. At first scrying magic had failed to locate any of the humans yet Hiro recalled the way Duncan had looked at Uluvae before Duncan knocked him out. He volunteered this to Yvonnel who rewarded him with a long session of depraved & deviant sex. The house wizard Kethan took the image of Ulurae from Hiro’s mind and set to scrying for her. It was only in the last hour that she had suddenly appeared in the viewing crystal. The image showed her and a vague outline of another being riding along on a horse drawn carriage. At first Kethan thought Uluvae was behaving in a very odd way as it appeared she was kissing and hugging thin air but a moment later he understood it must be one of those magically resistant humans she was cavorting with in the back of the open carriage. Disgusting behavior for a drow woman he thought to himself as he watched her through the crystal. Shaking his head silently he resumed his tasks.

Kethal quickly attuned the tracking device then formed the portal a few miles away from where Uluvae was. Once the portal was complete, he handed the device to Xalyth briefly explaining the simple nature of its function. She took it from him without a word and strode through the swirling light that formed the event horizon of the portal. Now she had located her quarry, she put on her helm and unholstering her glistening adamantine mace from her belt she moved off after her troops, quietly following in their wake.


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In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill.

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Talwyn Aureliano
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Post by Talwyn Aureliano »

Vasse stood at the top of a short flight of marble stairs that ascended to an ornate portico that framed the massive wooden doorway to the manor house. He watched with mild amusement as the open carriage driven by William made its way up the white gravel driveway. He’d considered buying the old carriage himself years ago but never really saw the need for it as it was too ostentatious for his tastes. That in itself was remarkable considering his family back in the empire owned many such carriages and would have not thought twice over its appearance, perhaps though maybe a condescending note that it was a tad out of style but little more than that.

“Welcome friends, welcome to my home,” he said as William halted the carriage. One of Vasse’s house servants quickly came forward, taking the reigns from William as he stepped down from the drivers seat. William then held out his hand, aiding Anya down. She hopped down lightly followed quickly by Duncan and Uluvae. They made their way up the stairs to where Vasse was waiting for them.

“Anya, could you please tell Vasse we’re grateful and delighted to be welcomed to his wonderful home,” said William as his gaze travelled over the beautiful large stone manor. It was like nothing he or Duncan had seen before. A two story elegant building made of a collection of polished red sandstone and white marble surrounded by a colonnade consisting of simple white marble columns and subtle archways with delicate gardens nestled in intervals along the colonnade. The manor was constructed so that there were no hard or straight lines, only gentle curves that softened the outline of the building.

Anya translated what William had said. “You have my thanks William. I’m rather fond of it too,” replied Vasse with a faint smile. He turned and lightly embraced Anya. “It is good to have you here in my home again Anya.”

“Thank you old friend,” she said as she stepped back from Vasse. “Where is Sidhlairiel?”

“Oh she is inside with Gundren and Porki. You know what they’re like when it comes to preparing a feast, always fussing and fretting,” he laughed.

“Of course, she is a consummate perfectionist when it comes to cooking and no doubt Porki is sitting back making sure that everything tastes good while he supervises over a tankard of ale.”

Vasse chuckled in agreement knowing that was indeed the case. He turned to Uluvae. “Al'doer ussta jallil. It has been a while since I last saw you and I am gladto hear your studies have progressed since then. Hallesia says you’re her best student by far.” Uluvae smiled faintly and bowed her head but Vasse could see the pride in her eyes that his words elicited within her. “Uluvae, could you ask Captain Wilson that I hope he has learnt his lesson about trying to outdrink a dwarf? This will be a modest but civil affair tonight and Porki has only brought one cask of ale which I suspect he’s already had half of by now.” She quickly relayed Vasse’s genial greeting and joke to Duncan.

“Unhh yeah…won’t be taking him on again. I won’t hear the end of it if I did.” replied Duncan with a laugh and rueful grin. Uluvae momentarily caught his eye with an ever so brief but emphatic “don’t you even think about it” expression before she turned back to Vasse all smiles and translated Duncan’s response.

“And I do thank you for your kind words and welcome Lord Vasse. Long have I heard how lovely your house is having only glimpsed it from afar. I am pleased that my teacher satisfied with my progress thus far,” Uluvae added as she slipped her arm around Duncan’s.

“Well do please, do come in,” Vasse said indicating for his guests to enter. They followed him inside, steeping into a well light spacious wooden panelled hallway sparsely decorated with exquisite works of art. Lush carpets lined the floor and in the corners were ornate pots with dazzling miniature flowering trees that emitted subtle yet alluring scents. A large marble staircase dominated the hallway, ascending to the second floor. Vasse strode down the hallway and opened a set of double doors that lead into an opulent dining room.

A huge polished wooden table, made from a single piece of dark timber, dominated the room. Beyond the table were large glass windows and doorways that looked out onto the back gardens. Off to the left was set a massive stone fireplace and on the other side of the room was a single doorway that obvious led to the kitchens. Two women, human servants in simple blue uniforms, stood holding silver trays of full goblets of wine and small tasty morsels. Vasse took a goblet.

“Please, try the wine and the snacks. We make the wine ourselves. This is one of our better efforts I think.” His guests helped themselves to the wine and snacks.

“Vasse, what are these snacks made out of?” asked William in halting common after he tried one.

“They are flowers stuffed with cheese & mince meat that are lightly fried. It’s one of Sidhlairiel specialties. I advise you have another before Anya snaffles them all,” he grinned as Anya was already helping herself to a third one. She devoured the delicate canapé, lightly licking her fingers afterwards. It was Uluvae who, with a bemused expression, translated Vasse’s remarks for the two humans.

“Vasse my old friend, Sidhlairiel is far too good for you and I’ll ignore that last remark,” Anya said as she sipped her wine then snatched another canapé.

“Well my compliments to the chef, these are delicious canapés and your wine reminds me of a grape type we have back on my word. It’s called Chardonnay and you have a very fine variety Vasse,” said Duncan as he savoured the rich dry yet almost sweet buttery taste of the white wine in his goblet. Uluvae relayed his words.

“How remarkable. I would not have thought such simple things like a grape would appear on two separate world yet humanity is on both worlds so why not a humble grape variety? I must say I am intrigued by your devices, artefacts and weapons and from what I’ve seen, your civilisation would humble even the great Elven empire.” He paused for a moment then chuckled. “In fact it would be perhaps fitting for them to learn that a world of humans has achieved levels of artifice and sophistication that could never dare to dream of.” Duncan and William listened intently as Anya translated.

“Vasse, while we have not seen your great empire, I would say that there would be many people back on Earth that would feel that the empire is the model for society. We have learned as well, and Anya has told us how the empire cares for the territory it controls. Sadly on our world, such sentiments and appreciation for nature are not as strong and much of the natural beauty is being lost,” replied William soberly. Duncan nodded in agreement. They had been observing how in tune with the land the community around them were and had been introduced to the druid of the valley, Kilithea who amazed them with her ability to make plants grow with a simple wave of her hand.


~ more to follow ~
;)
In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill.

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